Living for the Weekend

“Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if you love and most needs have desires, let these be your desires: to melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night; to know the pain of too much tenderness; to be wounded by your own understanding of love; and to bleed willingly and joyfully. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; to rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy; to return home at eventide with gratitude; and then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.” Kahlil Gibran

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, but for survivors and families that have lost love- ones we fight daily to end breast cancer.

“I lost someone.” Pink Wishes was founded in 2011 by breast cancer survivor Shay Sharpe who vowed to make a difference after losing several friends to breast cancer and receiving a breast cancer diagnosis at the age 26.

Sunday, Shay hosted “Pink Wishes Masquerade Ball” at Port Discovery. Guests in colorful masks, men in pink and women in gowns partied while raising funds for Shay’s Pink Wishes. Shay’s inspiration to start Pink Wishes, an organization granting wishes for terminally ill patients with a year or less to live was Dana Robinson. I got “misty” when 12 year-old Bryson Robinson thanked Pink Wishes for granting his mother Dana’s wish to take him to Sea World before she died; a trip that he will never forget.

“I’m so proud.” Bryson’s mom would have been proud as he discreetly dabbed tears from his eyes as his grandfather Tyrone Brown presented a $1,000 in memory of his mom. For more information visit www.shaysharpespinkwishes.org

"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." Marcus Garvey

More than 80 people gathered at the Mohawk Avenue home of Donald and Rosemary “Duchess” Atkinson for a presidential debate party hosted by Sadie Smalley, Rita Cooper, Duchess and myself. Guests enjoying the debate were Judson and Goldie Wood, Maggie Wiggins, Vera Dillard, Elvard Cooper, Gladys and Rob Rice, Tyrone Qualls, Pat Roselle, Robert White, Myra Queen, Jackie Richardson and Dr. Marian Davis-Foster.

“Yes, it's easier to win it when you know you'd never play it quite the same. But then, this Monday morning quarterback never lost a game.” Frank Sinatra

Later, a lively in-house debate started, as guests became Monday morning quarterbacks analyzing the presidential debate line-by-line question-by-question, movements, gestures and the moderator. As comedian, Aries said, “That was a checker game. The president is a chess player.”

“The world won't get no better if we just let it be; the world won't get no better we gotta change it yeah, just you and me.” Harold Melvin

“Wake up everybody” The last day to register to vote is Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. early voting starts Oct. 27, we don’t want to be “on the outside looking in.”

Carolyn and Jack Allen invited me to their lovely Forest Garden home for Aunt Rose’s 100th birthday party. I was overjoyed being in the company of this grand woman watching her open her cards and trying on her new hats.

“If I'd known I was going to live this long (100 years), I'd have taken better care of myself.” Eubie Blake

She stole my heart the minute I met her, by evening, I was family; calling her Aunt Rose. I asked if she was going to wear one of her hats and outfits to church the next day; she said I’m too tired to go to church; I’ve been partying for two days. Surrounded by generations of family and special friends, Melvina Turlington, Veronica Jackson and Lawrence Banks, Aunt Rose enjoyed seafood, ham and cake in honor of her birthday.

“Your love's got me looking so crazy right now crazy in love.” Beyoncé
President and Mrs. Obama, “still crazy in love” celebrating their 20th anniversary.

“I’m not perfect, you’re not perfect but two people can be perfect together, perfect for each other.” Valerie Lee

The look of love in Victoria Payne’s eyes as she walked down the aisle to her groom Justin Felton dressed in white tails was unmistakable, the brilliant smile framed her lovely face. The bridesmaids dressed in flowing yellow Grecian gowns and sandals complimented the debonair groomsmen in white tuxedos with matching yellow accessories. The newlyweds honeymooned at the luxurious National Harbor.

Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

Condolences to Dr. Patricia Schmoke and family on the death of her brother John Locks; to Milton “Skip” Hamiel and family on the death of Edgar Hamiel and to the family of Ben Whitten.

“Ain’t to proud to beg” Please, Please, Please get a mammogram. Valerie and the Friday Night Bunch